The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1887-12-24
CHAPTER Iu-CeNF1NUEB

'You and ] have never met before
vet / feel that we are not entire
strangers, as both have been well ac-
quainted with the late Richard Fair
leigh, formerly of , Virginia.
you mean my father"
1.-THE man VINO called himself youl
father, certainly"
Called himself my father" in per
picked, astonished tones.
The stranger bowed, and with a
smile that spoke volumes, he continued
Il bring you unpleasant news, but
when you set up claim to the late Rich
ard Iairleighs wealth as his daugh-
ter, 1t becomes nay painful duty to in
form you that you are mistaken. To
my certain knowledge Richard Fair
leigh was never married; he was my
uncle, and as such / have learned that
| myself am the nearest living kin.
Consequently the estate you supposed,
naturally, of course, to he your own,
happens to belong to me. Not only
these wild Western lands and numer-
Gus herds, but a large and valuable
property IN Virginia. / am sorry for
your sake, Miss Fairleigh, that your
adopted father did not inform you of
these stern facts, or at least make some
provision for you, which | learn he did
not
AS one stunned Nora listened to his
cruel words at the beginning, but as he
proceeded IN his merciless voice, some
thing in her gentle nature awoke, and
with a strength of which she never
would have believed herself capable,
she arose, and III voice as cold and
sscOrnful as his own, replied:
ION come to me with your weak,
manufactured story and, no doubt,
deep-laid plans to rob me of my birth
right and my fair and honorable name
as well. You must produce proofs of
all you affirm. | will listen to your
words no further; go to my lawyer"
The man laughed lightly; the scorn
IN the flashing eyes of the young girl
and her flushed cheeks only rendered
her more eautiful A sudden resolve
came INTO his cruel heart-a new desire.
There may be a compromise; under
certain circumstances, ] think there
could be. J"
The girl stepped back few steps,
hardly compromising his meaning,
but the feeling of repulsion toward HIM
was great please, CO." she said
leave my presence.
With a bow and smile he complied,
and Nora sank back in her chair, feel
ing that another new calamity had
fallen upon her. How was she to prove
that his words were false: there was
an easy assurance about the man that
chilled her troubled heart.
An hour later a messenger brought
her note from her lawyer.
DEAR MISS FAIRLEIGH: In deep sympathy |
write this TO You. Mr. lie Fame has been
cioseted With me, and he brings substantial
proofs Of his just claims to your fathers--or
supposed father-estate | feel that TO con
test the matter is use ess. SO far a. YOU have
used money from the bauk, the gentleman
squares accounts, and leaves five hundred
dollars IN the bank for your present need.
| regret all the complication very much but
believe me, your sincere friend
LEE SWIFT
THE coward" exclaimed Nora, in
dlgnantly; "to throw me over like this.
But we shall see whether Mr. Dan lie
Fame has such smooth sailing as he
supposes. Weak, uniformed girl that
| am, will beat them at their own
game, for | know dear papa was my
own father, and the money he left here
and in Virginia is and shall be mine.
Now, let me think. Ali who is that ?"
"A gentleman said the maid. "a
gentleman as said you was expecting
him.
The detective, at last" thought
Nora. ~Yes, / will see him. "